Curtain-stretching frame.



Nn. 714,069. Patented Nov'. |8,l902. J. C. WAGNER. CURTAIN STRETCHING FRAME.

(Application filed July 16, 1902A (No Model.)

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2 5 4 .5 o w e 5 f vwemtoz if y j UNITED STATES ATENT Genion,

JOSEPHC. WAGNER, OF GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA;

CURTAIN-STRETCHING FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 714,069, dated November 18, 1902.

Application led July 16, 1902. Serial No. 115,858. (No model.)

To cir/ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOSEPH C. WAGNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greensburg, inthe county of Vestmoi-eland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Curtain- Stretching Frames, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in curtain-stretching frames; and the objects of the same are to provide an improved frame having simple 'and effective adjustable features which will facilitate drying lace curtains of varying sizes, to provide connecting4 means movably and adjustably attached to the main longitudinal frame-bars, whereby the latter will be held in positive immovable position in relation to each other and be prevented from sagging or bending under the strain of the curtains stretched thereover and attached thereto, and to provide a general organization of contributing elements which will unitedly operate to render the entire frame convenient in the adjustment of its parts and edective for the purpose for which it is devised.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a curtain-stretching frame embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof, showing the supporting-legs broken away. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view showing the connection of the several parts of the frame and the particular mode of securing them after adjustment.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views. i

The numeral 1 designates longitudinallydisposed side bars, and 2 end bars, which are adjustable toward and outwardly from each other on the bars 1. The bars 1 are exact counterparts in construction and each is made up of two sections 3, connected by a hinge 4 at the center, whereby the entire frame may be reduced to compact form for storage when not in use. The sections 3 of each bar 1 when opened are held against accidental closing movement by an elongated flanged clip 5, movably attached to one section 3 by a screw-eye or analogous device 6 and adapted to be engaged by an outstanding pin 7 on the adjacent section 3, which receives a clamping-nut 8. The clip 5 is loose enough to be drawn away from the sections 3 when it is desired to fold the bar 1, and said clip is applied to the outer edge of the bar. vThe clips 5 are formed of metal, and when secured over the joints of the sections 3, at the outer edges of the latter, said sections form a substantially rigid bar. The inner edges 9 of the bars 1 and 2 are formed with concavecurved bevels, and projecting outwardly therefrom at regular intervals are a series of pins 10, over which the side andend edge portions of the curtain are applied to secure-the said curtain to the frame.

The opposite extremities of the bars 1 on the front and rear sides are formed with longitudinally-extending grooves 11, which open out through the terminals of said bars and have inner opposing laterally-extended members 12 to provide reversely-arranged substantially inverted-T-shaped grooves. The end bars 2 are formed with longitudinallyextending slots 13, extending over a greater portion of their length, through which are passed clamping-screws la, having inner disk heads 15, freely movable in the grooves in the outer face of the lower bar 1. Near the upper ends of the bars 2 are clamping screws or screw-bolts 16, similar in form to the bolts 14 and adjustably engaging the grooves 11 in the upper bar 1, both sets of screw-bolts 14 and lo having clamping-nuts 17, which are adapted to bear against washers 18, interposed between the same and the adjacent surface of the end bars 2. Throughthe medium of the adjusting screws or bolts 14 and 16 the bars 2 can be positively held against movement on the bars 1, and, furthermore, the grooves 11 in the outer or face portions of the bars 1 and the slots 13 in the end bars 2 permit the entire frame to be adjusted to accommodate vcurtains of various lengths and widths. To render the adjustment of the end bars 2 longitudinally on the bars 1 convenient in relation to curtains havinga known IOO length in yards or fractions of the latter, scales 19 are applied to the outer faces of the bars l adjacent the grooves 11.

The rear grooves 1l of the bars 1 are engaged by the disk heads 20, forming a part of rear clamping-bolts2l, and also by portions of the latter bolts, which are passed through the free ends of cross-braces 22,pvotally connected to each other at t-heir points of intersection, as at 28, and also movably attached to the rear sides of the bars 1 adjacent to the joints of the latter. The bolts 2l are provided with clamping-nuts 24, between which and the rear surfaces of the bars l washers 25 are interposed. The purpose of the cross-braces 22 is to open square and stilfen the bars l and prevent them from bending or sagging from Warpage or under the strain of the curtain stretched over the frame for drying purposes. To the rear side of the upper bar 1, adjacent to the opposite ends of the latter, the upper ends of legs 26 are hinged, and by means of said legs the frame may be supported in a manner'silnilar to an easel to expedite drying the curtain stretched over the frame.

To arrange the frame for use, the sections 3 are opened and secured by the clips 5, the stretcher during such arrangement being disposed in dat position on a table or other supy port. The bars 1 and 2 are then adjusted by loosening` the clamping-nuts engaging the several clamping-bolts to accommodate the size of the curtain to be stretched over the frame and then secured by again tightening up the nuts and bolts. The legs 26 are then set, and the frame as an entirety is disposed at upright position in accordance With the angle of the said legs. The curtain is then stretched over the frame and secured to the pins 10, and if the parts require further adjustment the bolts and nuts connecting the end bars and the lower bar 1 may be easily loosened and such parts moved to the extent desired. Another advantage of the improved frame is that it Will always square itself when adjusted.

The improved device Will loe found exceptionally useful and convenient, and it is proposed to construct the same either of wood or metal or a combination of both. It is apparent that changes in the proportions, dimensions, and minor details may be resorted to Withoutdepartingfrom the principle of the in- Vention.

. Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A curtain-stretching frame comprising end bars and side bars adjustably connected to each other, and cross-braces pivotally attached to the side bars and to each other and also having the ends thereof opposite those pivotally connected to the side bars adjustably attached Ato the latter.

2. A curtain-stretching frame, comprising end bars and side bars adjustably connected to each other, the side bars having two sections connected by hinges, cross-braces pivotally attached to the side bars, and to each other and also having the ends thereof opposite those pivotally connected to the side bars adjustably attached to the latter, and elongated clips movably attached to the outer edges of the side bars for rigidly holding the latter.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH C. VAGNER.

Witnesses:

J. R. HUNTER, W. C. Loon. 

